Meet the author

About Andi

Andrea J. Buchanan is a New York Times bestselling author whose latest book is the novel FIVE-PART INVENTION.


Her memoir THE BEGINNING OF EVERYTHING, about her experience with spinal CSF leak, was a finalist for the 2019 PEN/E.O. Wilson Award for Literary Science Writing (discover more about the book, including press, podcasts, and interviews, here). In 2020, her essay “Two Hearts,” published by The Kenyon Review, was named a “Notable” essay in Best American Essays 2020.

Her other work includes the multimedia young adult novel GIFT, named one of Kirkus Review’s best books of 2012; the internationally bestselling THE DARING BOOK FOR GIRLS and its sequel THE DOUBLE-DARING BOOK FOR GIRLS; her essay collection on early motherhood MOTHER SHOCK: LOVING EVERY (OTHER) MINUTE OF IT; and six other books.

Before becoming a writer, Andi trained as a pianist, earning a bachelor of music degree in piano performance from the Boston Conservatory of Music and a master’s in piano performance from the San Francisco Conservatory. Her last recital was at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall.